Zhonghao Chen

Assistant Professor

Zhonghao Chen is an artist, curator and educational personnel based in China and New Zealand. His practice focuses on the study and research of image & materiality through the realm of painting, meta-drawing, object-related art, and cross-disciplinary methodologies. Zhonghao has been exhibiting in NZ, Australia, China and Europe. His works are in collections of major NZ art museums and institutions such as the University of Canterbury and James Wallace Trust, etc. Additionally, his works are present among collections of global collectors.

Besides his artistic practice, Zhonghao extends his research into the fields of artistic and post-art curation. Zhonghao also participated in various Animation, film and experimental theatre projects. He was among the first group of artists to work with HitLab NZ on VR & art projects. Moreover, Zhonghao maintains a practice of sound art and experimental music.


Web: zhonghaochen.com


  • Master’s of Fine Art with Distinction, Painting Major University of Canterbury 2009-2010
  • Bachelor of Fine Art with First Class Honours, Painting Major University of Canterbury 2008
  • Bachelor of Fine Art, Painting Major University of Canterbury 2004-2007


  • Lecturer, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 2020-present
  • Practicing Artist, 2010-present
  • Curator, ABC Art Initiative, 2010-present


  • Enviromental Aesthetic
  • VR Art
  • Drawing
  • Narrative
  • Image & Materiality
  • Painting
  • Moving Image
  • Sci-fi Literature
  • Expanded Curation


  • The Higher State of Isolation, Gallery E, BeiJing 2022
  • Group Exhibition, Tinning Street gallery, Australia 2019
  • Environmental Freakology, Jonathan Smart Gallery, NewZealand 2015
  • The Third Ever Blue Oyster International Art Fair, Blue Oyster Art Space, NewZealand 2014
  • Pay for The Printer, Triple Major, Shanghai 2014
  • Unsettled, Antoinette/Godkin Gallery, Auckland 2013
  • May I substitute You While I am Away, Jonathan Smart Gallery, NewZealand 2013
  • I Have Been Klaxoning, Jonathan Smart Gallery, NewZealand 2012
  • Nap Time, ABC Art Space/ABC, NewZealand 2012
  • The Klaxoning Muppets’ Members, Pickled Art Gallery, 798 District, Beijing 2012
  • Ghosts of Dreams and spilt Pine -O- Cleen, White elephant, Australia 2011
  • Pate Canape, Rice and Beans Gallery, NewZealand 2010
  • Uncanny Valley, Christchurch City Art Gallery, NewZealand 2010
  • Kunst Kugudy, Former High Street Project Space, NewZealand 2010
  • ZhongHao Chen, Gallery Gallery, NewZealand 2009


  • I Have Been Klaxoning. Exhibition Catalogue. ISBN: 978-0-473-21047-2
  • Kunst Kugudy: Zhonghao Chen. Exhibition Catalogue. ISBN: 978-0-473-16879-7
  • Animal Biography: re-framing animal lives. Edited by André Krebber and Mieke Roscher Published by Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN:978-3-319-98287-8


  • CAT107TC
  • CAT302TC
  • CAT002TC
  • CAT103TC


  • CAT207TC
  • CAT102TC
  • CAT201TC
  • CAT209TC
  • CAT107TC


  • Sawtell Turner Prize
  • Harry van der Lecq Scholarship
  • The Ethel Rose Overton Scholarship
  • College of Arts Honours Scholarship, University of Canterbury
  • The Master’s Scholarship, University of Canterbury
  • Selected Finalist. James Wallace Award
Zhonghao Chen